Bride and groom by a waterfall in nature.

The Differences Between a Wedding Film and a Wedding Highlight Reel: What’s Right for You?

Filed in Wedding Tips / March 26, 2025 /

Many couples struggle to choose between a wedding highlight reel and a full wedding film—or whether they should include both in their wedding videography package. It’s a common question when deciding how you want to relive your wedding day through video. While both formats capture your celebration in meaningful ways, each offers a unique style, pacing, and level of detail. Understanding the difference between a wedding film and a highlight reel can help you make an informed decision about which format best reflects your vision, your priorities, and how you want to preserve your wedding memories for years to come.

1. What is a wedding highlight reel?

A wedding highlight reel is a cinematic short film that captures the heart of your day in a beautifully edited, emotionally-driven format. It’s often described as the “trailer” to your love story—focused on the most powerful and memorable moments. Depending on your package, highlight reels typically range from 3 to 9 minutes, with options like 3–5 minutes, 4–6 minutes, or 6–9 minutes to suit your preferences and the flow of your day.

What’s typically included in a highlight reel:

Cinematic snippets of key moments: The first look, emotional vows, laughter-filled toasts, and your first dance are just a few of the standout scenes.
Music-driven storytelling: A hand-selected song is paired with your footage to heighten the mood and bring out the emotion. It’s important to find out whether or not your videographer includes music licensing – and whether or not they charge for it.
Stylized editing: Expect creative transitions, slow-motion sequences, and visual storytelling that feels like a romantic short film.
Easily shareable: This shorter format is ideal for posting on social media, sending to friends and family, or watching on repeat when you need a quick dose of nostalgia.

The highlight reel is all about capturing the feeling of the day—those goosebump moments that pass in an instant but stay with you forever.

2. What is a full wedding film?

A full wedding film—sometimes referred to as a documentary-style wedding video—offers a comprehensive, start-to-finish retelling of your wedding day. Typically running anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes, this format provides a more immersive experience that lets you relive the day in its full scope, from the quiet, intimate moments of getting ready to the joy and celebration of your final dance.

What you’ll find in a full-length wedding film:

In-depth coverage
Unlike shorter edits, a full film includes extended footage of major moments: full-length vows, full speeches, the entire ceremony, and heartfelt candid scenes you may have missed in the moment. It allows space for the laughter, pauses, and unscripted reactions that give your day its personality.
Authentic storytelling
The day unfolds naturally, allowing your story to be told in real-time. From the small glances during the ceremony to the spontaneous joy on the dance floor, this format captures the wedding as it truly happened—letting the emotions and energy shine through.
Professional audio
Crystal-clear audio from your vows, toasts, and behind-the-scenes conversations adds richness and intimacy to the final film. It brings you back not just to what you saw, but what was said and felt in the moment.
Timeless keepsake
This is the kind of film you return to year after year—on anniversaries, quiet weekends, or when sharing memories with loved ones. It preserves your day in a way that feels honest and personal, making it a keepsake not just for you, but for future generations.

If the highlight reel is the emotional spark, the full wedding film is the full narrative—the story in all its depth and joy, preserved exactly as it happened.

3. Should you get both?

Absolutely—if your budget allows, having both a wedding highlight reel and a full wedding film is the best of both worlds.

The wedding highlight reel gives you a beautifully edited, emotionally charged recap of your day in just a few minutes. It’s the kind of video you’ll watch when you want a quick dose of nostalgia or a way to share the joy with friends and family on social media.
The full wedding film, on the other hand, provides the full picture. From your getting-ready moments to your final send-off, it includes the real-time progression of the day—complete with full vows, heartfelt toasts, and all the little moments in between that made your wedding truly your own. It’s perfect for anniversaries, cozy evenings together, or when you want to remember the full story, word for word and moment by moment.

Many of our couples say they watch their highlight reel regularly to bring back that wedding-day feeling—then turn to the full film when they want to slow down and remember every word, every laugh, and every little detail.

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Wedding Videographer

Whether you’re getting married in Michigan, Washington, Tennessee, North Carolina, Massachusetts, or Virginia, make sure your wedding videographer offers the video format that matches your vision. Ask about delivery timelines, editing style, and whether you’ll receive both a highlight reel and a full film.

At Promani Weddings, we believe every love story deserves to be preserved in a way that feels authentic and unforgettable. We offer both highlight reels and full wedding films—crafted with care, emotion, and the artistry your story deserves. Depending on the package you choose, our highlight reels run from 3-5, 4-6, and 6-9 minutes – while our full documentary edits run 60-90 minutes. And even better? Free music licensing is always included in our packages.

I hope this guide has helped you decide which type of wedding video to choose for your special day! If you’re interested in seeing what our films look like, explore our film gallery here: https://promaniweddings.com/our-films

Still have questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out!
https://promaniweddings.com/contact